Lifter aka "Cam Chain Tensioner"

[roboto65]

Ok I will attempt a write up of sorts I had my tensioner go out yesterday morning and got my attention for sure sounds like the whole top end is going to fall out  .  Anyhow I have replaced it for now with a loaner from Jesse . Thanks Jesse

Ok this is not a bad job pretty simple I took the chrome side covers off and the left side bracket where the key is. The other side has the radiator hoses and such it is a tight fit but I got in there with gloves on(the engine was still warm ) anyhow take the 2 8mm bolts out and slide the broke one out might have to tap it with a screwdriver end to break the gasket seal. Now just pull it straight up and out.

Next you need a small screwdriver it has to fit in the hole in the top of the new one and twist it clockwise that will draw the piston up and then you will have to hold it up and withdraw the screwdriver and insert the small tool that should have come with the tensioner this holds it in the up position then we insert the new tensioner in the hole with the new gasket which you should have ordered with the tensioner. Put your bolts back in and tighten to the torque specs. Pull the "tool" out and the tensioner will tighten on it"s own and replace the bolt in the top of the tensioner and put it back together and enjoy !!!!!


This is the Tensioner the culprit of a few MOOTsters troubles




Next is the circlip we can take this apart and maybe fix it too. Charles Otwell has told me that he just bent a new curl back in the spring and it has worked for 2 years now!!!
This is the circlip it was in the groove at the top


The next pic is the piston screw assemble sticking out with the holding washer on top with the circlip in there.


Here we have the whole assemble in order with the broken spring which you can see looks like a half moon shape.


The tension on the spring is wound tension not sprung so when the halfmoon breaks so does the tension and it allows the tensioner to twist back in and the chain goes slack and all h$#@ breaks loose..

Sorry I do not have any pics of it on the bike but the front cylinder's is under the carbs on the front cylinders and the rear one is in front of the battery box it is a little harder to get to.. I will be doing this all over tonight as my new ones come in today I ordered front and rear and gaskets..

[Charles S Otwell]

Actually it hasn't been quite 2yrs, it was Oct 30th 2006, and someday I'll make a permanent repair . Hey allen don't throw that broke one away I might need a replacement someday, everyone knows what a cheap skate I am  .

[roboto65]

Yep see what you were talking about spring will bend easily so fixing it should be no problem and should hold fine so I might go out on a limb and say if anyone else runs into this problem just bend the spring and go on and save 85 bucks LOL

[TLRam1]

How many miles did this one last you?

[roboto65]

Well the bike total is 60500 but I have had it 30000 of that... Not complaining for sure but I have seen with my own eyes one gone at 15000 my other wheelman has one. Magna towboat crew if you do not own a Magna you cannot wotk on my boat LOL Just kidding but I am trying to convert everyone LOL

[Charles S Otwell]

"Yep see what you were talking about spring will bend easily so fixing it should be no problem and should hold fine so I might go out on a limb and say if anyone else runs into this problem just bend the spring and go on and save 85 bucks LOL"
>
Well I'll go out on a limb and say it's a good enough repair to get you home if your stuck out of town or to keep your bike from setting up while your looking for or waiting for one. I swapped tensioners with Jimmie  one month after I bought the bike and it's been on there ever since.
   The only two people I've heard of having broke one, (Jimmy and Allen) riding style just a coinsidents  ya think???

[roboto65]

I plead the FIFTH